Planning out your wedding day timeline is so important to ensure a smooth day. There are so many events and vendors and moments all happening so fast and you want to be able to savor every minute. These tips will help you stay on track, minimize stress, and allow you plenty of time to enjoy your day.
I am happy to help you customize your timeline and offer suggestions to make sure you make the most of your time and your photography. Your wedding and/or venue coordinator, as well as your other vendors, will also have tips for the best way to plan your timeline.
Below is a general wedding day timeline that you can customize. Keep in mind that every wedding is different, so please adjust things based on your needs.
There are three factors that can have major effects on a timeline: One is multiple locations and accounting for travel time. The second is the size of your wedding, wedding party and families. And the last is whether or not you have a first look with your soon-to-be-spouse. I highly recommend a first look, unless you are very traditional. There are so many benefits to planning one into your day, and one of the biggest pros is that you have a more open and easy schedule and you get more time with your guests by being able to to enjoy cocktail hour. This timeline includes a first look and 9 hours of wedding photography coverage.
Wedding Day Timeline
10:00-2:00 Hair and Makeup
• This can be a long process depending on how many people are getting their hair and makeup done, so plan for a relaxing morning with your wedding party.
• Consider scheduling the bride’s hair and makeup first.
• Tip: Provide snacks and drinks to stay energized and hydrated and plan some fun music.
1:30 Photography begins in the suites
• Details photographed (wedding dress, ring, invitations, etc.)
• Last minute hair and makeup touchups
2:15 Wedding party in robes or pajamas / champagne toast photo if you like
2:30 Everyone is dressed
2:45 Bride gets dressed
3:20 First Look
3:25 Couple’s Photos
3:45 Wedding Party meets in lobby w/ bouquets and boutonnieres
4:00 Wedding Party Photos
4:20 Immediate Family Photos
4:40 Couple gets tucked away from early arriving guests
5:00 Line up for Ceremony
5:10-5:30 Ceremony `
5:45 Cocktail Hour
Large Group Family Portraits for 10 minutes
Couple attends Cocktail Hour
6:45 Grand Entrance and First Dance
7:00 Welcome
7:10 First Course served, Toasts
7:30 Sunset (sunset photos with the couple for 10 minutes)
7:40 Second Course served
8:15 Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dance
Open Dancing
9:00 Cake Cutting
10:20 Last Dance
Grand Exit with bubbles
10:30 Reception Ends
Some things to consider:
1. Look up the sunset time. Sunset is a very important part of your wedding day. You may not realize it, but the sun greatly affects your photos and can have a big impact on your ceremony, portraits and overall timing. You can do this by simply googling your wedding date, city and the words “sunset time.” The Colorado sun can be very intense. Think about how bright it might be if you plan an outdoor ceremony in the middle of the day, or how nice it could be if the sun is lower in the sky.
2. You may need more time if your wedding day includes some traveling. Does your day include multiple locations or driving to a special spot for couple’s portraits? Be sure to add in extra travel time so that you don’t feel stressed.
I also have an option to add on an “adventure portrait session” to your wedding photography experience. This typically happens a day or two after the wedding day and includes the couple getting all dressed up one more time to go to a special location for photos. It can be too difficult and time consuming to drive to the best photo spots on your wedding day. Why not go the next day and enjoy the session without the worry of getting back to all of your guests. You can choose a waterfall, a mountain top, a lake–whatever you want!
3. Plan your family portraits. I’ll ask you for a numbered list of every photo variation you’d like to have. I’m happy to take as many or as few variations as you like. Think about what you want from your photos and how you want to spend your time on your wedding day.
4. Have a rain/snow/wind plan. Your venue will have recommendations for what to do if you have to plan for indoors, but consider what else might need to change. If you have unfortunate weather, will portraits need to be moved to a different location? Will any decor have to change? Do you have umbrellas ready for everyone? (I recommend clear umbrellas because they will photograph best.)
5. I recommend that all my couples plan about 5-10 minutes of sunset or nightime photos. The photos are wonderful, but it also gives you a short time to step away from your reception and take a few minutes just the two of you to take it all in.
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